Posted 9 years ago
clockhead
(1 item)
I inherited this clock from my grandmother who lived in Albany, NY for her entire life. There is a label on the bottom, probably from a cleaning or the seller, that also has an Albany address. The works are from Waterbury and they still work. The clock itself is about 10" high and 8" wide. It's obviously a cheap clock, looks like the casing is either iron or pot metal. The bottom is wood! I don't know if there is any validly to this, but supposedly the clock was purchased with S&H Green Stamps. In addition to finding out something about this clock, I would like to find a new back, or a way to repair the broken off leg on the back plate (which is removable). Any info would be appreciated.
Hi. It looks like you may have a Waterbury Enameled Iron Case Mantel Clock model called the "Una".
It is from circa 1906 and could have been manufactured a few years before or after that general date.
It originally listed for $7.50. Adjusted for inflation that would have been nearly $200 in 2014 so I would hardly call it a cheap clock. It's quite possible that the clock was offered as some sort of sales incentive. Larkin Soap had several very nice mantel clock models made by Seth Thomas which were offered as sales incentives
It looks like the movement uses a Rack and Snail strike count mechanism which was a vast improvement on the earlier Count Wheels. The wood bottom is referred to as a sound board. Wood was used to enhance the acoustic characteristics of the Cathedral Bell or "Gong".
I would try to keep the clock as original as possible. Someone who works with metal could probably weld or otherwise attach a new foot to the back plate.
Hope that answers your questions and solves your mystery. If so, please indicate "Mystery Solved" in your listing. If not, let us know what other questions you may have. Nice clock. Thanks for sharing with the C.W. Community.
Bruce99, thank you for all of the info and the idea for getting the foot fixed.